Why is it a machine? At some point you come to a point where there is so much carbon fiber in and on the bike, that it can no longer be classified as a 'bicycle' that you might ride up to the park for an ice cream cone on Sunday.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
My Machine
Here's my machine for 2012, outfitted with a new set of Flo Aero Wheels. This is my race setup, with 2 bottles on the frame, and one aero drink bottle between the aero bars. *Not pictured - me crouched on it for 112 miles.
Why is it a machine? At some point you come to a point where there is so much carbon fiber in and on the bike, that it can no longer be classified as a 'bicycle' that you might ride up to the park for an ice cream cone on Sunday.
Why is it a machine? At some point you come to a point where there is so much carbon fiber in and on the bike, that it can no longer be classified as a 'bicycle' that you might ride up to the park for an ice cream cone on Sunday.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Jersey Genesis Triathlon - 2012 Edition
June in the Mid Atlantic welcomes the return of cocky Yankees Fans, outdoor drinking, and of course triathlon season. June 2nd was my first official race of the season - the 'Jersey Genesis'. This was a Sprint Distance Triathlon; .5 mile swim, 16 mile bike, 4 mile run.
It's best to start off small, as I'm building toward the motherload in early August.
I'd ran this same race last year, and came in this year with the goal of beating my 2011 time. All signs in training showed that I could, just needed to execute.
I got beat up a bit on the swim, as I decided I'd dive right into the main pack and make a go of it. Bit of a mistake, as I gassed myself pretty quick - and took two or three swift kicks to the face. Better to stick to my usual strategy which is to lay back 10 seconds, and have clear water to race my own race.
Bike I hammered hard, averaging 22.6 mph. I had the 37th fastest bike split out of 233 competitors.
Run I also hit pretty quick (for me), averaging 8:46 per mile over the 4 miles.
In the end, I finished with a time of 1:35:14, which topped my 2011 time of 1:39:09.
For the most part, this race was remarkable for how unremarkable it was. Everything went well, no hiccups, nothing to fret about, and a good early (albeit short) test of where my fitness is at.
Next up: HITS Half Ironman Hunter Mountain on June 10th...about 4 times longer distance.
It's best to start off small, as I'm building toward the motherload in early August.
I'd ran this same race last year, and came in this year with the goal of beating my 2011 time. All signs in training showed that I could, just needed to execute.
I got beat up a bit on the swim, as I decided I'd dive right into the main pack and make a go of it. Bit of a mistake, as I gassed myself pretty quick - and took two or three swift kicks to the face. Better to stick to my usual strategy which is to lay back 10 seconds, and have clear water to race my own race.
Bike I hammered hard, averaging 22.6 mph. I had the 37th fastest bike split out of 233 competitors.
Run I also hit pretty quick (for me), averaging 8:46 per mile over the 4 miles.
 |
| That gimp looking guy behind me, running barefoot, would eventually pass me. |
 |
| Embrace the suck. |
In the end, I finished with a time of 1:35:14, which topped my 2011 time of 1:39:09.
For the most part, this race was remarkable for how unremarkable it was. Everything went well, no hiccups, nothing to fret about, and a good early (albeit short) test of where my fitness is at.
Next up: HITS Half Ironman Hunter Mountain on June 10th...about 4 times longer distance.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
More Of This Please
Sirius XM has already beat this song to a bloody repetitive pulp, but the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders get a pass in my book.
Highlights include:
1.) Cheerleader ballpit (!)
2.) The cheerleader at the :40 mark pantomiming "baby" by cradling her breasts and rocking them to sleep.
3.) My personal favorite; the blonde at the 1:07 mark with the innocent white bikini, but slutty smile.
4.) 1:44, verbatim recreation of that dream I keep having where I'm the Sultan of some oil-rich kingdom, and this is my herem.
Adrian Peterson with one knee is still twice the back Reggie Bush is.
Highlights include:
1.) Cheerleader ballpit (!)
2.) The cheerleader at the :40 mark pantomiming "baby" by cradling her breasts and rocking them to sleep.
3.) My personal favorite; the blonde at the 1:07 mark with the innocent white bikini, but slutty smile.
4.) 1:44, verbatim recreation of that dream I keep having where I'm the Sultan of some oil-rich kingdom, and this is my herem.
Adrian Peterson with one knee is still twice the back Reggie Bush is.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Lance Armstrong - Back in Triathlon
7-time Tour de France Champ Lance Armstrong has quietly (or not so quietly) taken his 40-year old body and gotten into competitive triathlons this year. Truthfully, he's 'back' in triathlon - as that's where he started some 20+ years ago - before dedicating himself full time to cycling.
Lance is gearing up for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii - in October of this year. In the last two weeks he's won two 70.3 Events, and has seriously put the triathlon world on notice that he's for real. Pro triathletes who've spent their whole career working at triathlon are getting put to shame by Lance and his other-wordly cardiovascular system.
This morning he won the 70.3 Honu Half Ironman, breaking the course record by 7 minutes. Respect.
I also had my first triathlon of the year this morning, and beat my 2011 time on the same course by 5 minutes. Pictures and details of the effort will follow later in the week.
Ironman NYC US Championships (I like to use the full name because it sounds more badass) taining is in full effect for me these days. Training is 7 days as week, 2-4 hours a day. Currently I'm trying for 100+ miles a week on the bike, 30+ miles of running, and 3 pool sessions of an hour+ a week. I occasionally also mix in weight lifting, yoga, and a full time job.
Next weekend is my first Half Ironman of the season, in upstate New York.
Weight loss: Down 17 pounds since January.
UPDATE: Video from the Honu 70.3. Add going to Hawaii to my bucket list.
Lance is gearing up for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii - in October of this year. In the last two weeks he's won two 70.3 Events, and has seriously put the triathlon world on notice that he's for real. Pro triathletes who've spent their whole career working at triathlon are getting put to shame by Lance and his other-wordly cardiovascular system.
This morning he won the 70.3 Honu Half Ironman, breaking the course record by 7 minutes. Respect.
I also had my first triathlon of the year this morning, and beat my 2011 time on the same course by 5 minutes. Pictures and details of the effort will follow later in the week.
Ironman NYC US Championships (I like to use the full name because it sounds more badass) taining is in full effect for me these days. Training is 7 days as week, 2-4 hours a day. Currently I'm trying for 100+ miles a week on the bike, 30+ miles of running, and 3 pool sessions of an hour+ a week. I occasionally also mix in weight lifting, yoga, and a full time job.
Next weekend is my first Half Ironman of the season, in upstate New York.
Weight loss: Down 17 pounds since January.
UPDATE: Video from the Honu 70.3. Add going to Hawaii to my bucket list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)